The event brought together professionals from mental health and AOD services, creating a collaborative space to share knowledge, build relationships, and develop new skills. The goal was to foster synergy, confidence, and network-building among workers who support individuals with complex, co-occurring needs.

Through interactive discussions, attendees had the chance to share experiences and address common challenges in supporting people with both mental health and substance use concerns.

One of the key enablers of improved integrated care lies in capacity building through education and training. Importantly, AOD and mental health workers would benefit from being introduced to concepts beyond their specialities and learning how these concepts fit into an integrated care model," says Dr Katrin Oliver, Hamilton Centre Education and Training Lead.

This series of workshops provides a valuable opportunity for participants to deepen their understanding of integrated care delivery while fostering cross-sector collaboration. See upcoming sessions here.

Workshop highlights

The session was divided into two key parts:

Stigma in health settings

In the first part of the workshop, participants learned to identify common forms of stigma in healthcare, explored the causes and effects of stigma, and discussed strategies for challenging it effectively within their practice.

Integrated care for co-occurring conditions

The second part focused on the care pathway for individuals with co-occurring conditions within the Victorian healthcare system. Participants explored the differences between collaborative and integrated care models and identified local opportunities to enhance integrated service delivery.

Collaborative approach

Engaging directly with local healthcare providers allowed the Hamilton Centre team to gain valuable insights into the region’s healthcare landscape and unique needs. These insights are essential for shaping future training sessions that are not only relevant to healthcare workers but also tailored to the specific needs of the communities they support.

According to the presenters involved in the workshop, these insights will be crucial in refining future training and support initiatives, ensuring they meet the evolving needs of healthcare workers and clients in regional areas.

Positive feedback

Feedback from participants was highly positive. Key highlights included networking opportunities, open discussions, and a presentation on a clinical case study that addressed stigmatising language.

With 93% of attendees stating they would recommend the session to colleagues, and 86% indicating they found the training relevant and highly relevant to their practice, the success of this session underscores the importance of upskilling programs in regional Victoria.

Presenters also emphasised the critical role of bringing training opportunities to the regional and rural workforce. This is essential for building capabilities, improving integrated care delivery, and creating a more supportive and inclusive healthcare environment in these areas.

Our first workshop has brought together people from different disciplines, roles, and sectors. Not only are people learning together in the same room, but they are learning from each other, which in turn helps to break down old silos and mysteries about how different parts of the care system operate. Our vision is that this increased understanding will contribute to greater acceptance and improved care for people experiencing co-occurring conditions,” highlights Dr Oliver.